Collapsible arch support



April 6, 1954 T. R. FINLAYSON ET AL COLLAPSIBLE ARCH SUPPORT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed on. 50. 1950 fillerney April 6, 1954 T. R. FIVNLAYSON ET AL COLLAPSIBLE ARCH SUPPORT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 50, 1950 lNVENToRs BY M4. m

:YZlarney Patented Apr. 6, 1954 COLLAPSIBLE ARCH SUPPORT Thomas R. Finlayson and Bert E. Lee, Milwaukee,

Wis., assignors to Magnesium Products of Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application October 30, 1950, Serial No. 192,871

4 Claims.

This invention relates to collapsible portable housing structures and resides more specifically in a structure comprising a plurality of supporting arch members wherein each arch comprises a number of segments each composed of a pair of lengthwise extending shear members pivoted to one another at the crossed intersections thereof and in which said segments pivotally connect to one another in such manner as to form an asymmetrical lazy tong which may be retracted or collapsed into a position of small compass but which when placed in an extended position assumes an arched configuration that resists collapse on the application of normal load.

Collapsible structures of the type to which this invention relates are of utility for temporary housing facilities. To be of value for the purpose intended such structures must be of substantial size, with the result that stresses from the weight of the structure and from the loading imposed by weather conditions are substantial. As a result the design of the structure must incorporate sufiicient strength and at the same time be simple to erect. It is therefore a purpose of this invention to provide a framework for a collapsible housing structure which is simple to erect and to collapse and which will be stable and of sumcient strength.

Another object of this invention is to provide a collapsible structure that will occupy a minimum space upon the collapse thereof to facilitate transport of the same.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a structure which may be quickly and easily erected or collapsed without the need of special tools or equipment.

These and other purposes will appear in the description which follows. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof and in which there is shown by way of illustration and not of limitation one specific form of this invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary front view in elevation of the right one-half of an arch, in extended position, constructed in conformity with this invention,

Fig. 2 is a front view in elevation of the portion of the arch depicted in Fig. 1 in a collapsed or retracted position,

Fig. 3 is a view in perspective of a base plate or footing suitable for the support of the springers of the arch depicted in Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a view in perspective of a portion of the detachable longitudinal bracing employed to maintain the spacing of the arch spans,

Fig. 5 is a view in perspective of a portion of the arch depicted in Fig. 1 showing the manner of aflixing the detachable longitudinal bracing thereto,

Fig. 6 is a view in perspective with parts broken away of a collapsible structure constructed in accordance with this invention, and

Fig. 7 is a view in perspective of a portion of the canvas panels of the structure depicted in Fig. 6 showing the manner of attaching one to the other.

Referring now to the drawings. There is shown in Fig. 6 a collapsible building in which there is employed for support a plurality of collapsible arch ribs I each consisting of a set of segments formed of pairs of shear members 2 pivotally connected to one another.

As shown in Fig. 1, the shear members 2 forming the ribs I each comprise a channel arm 3 having merged therewith at one end a short offset 4 which in turn merges with a second channel arm 5 to form a roughly Z-shaped member. The webs of the channel arms 3 and 5 and the offset 4 lie in a common plane. When the arch is in extended position each channel arm 3 forms part of an outer ring or periphery composed of like channel arms 3 and the channel arms 5 form an inner ring of the arch, as shown.

Pairs of shear members 2 are pivotally joined near their centers by pins 6 disposed slightly off the transverse center lines of the members 2 toward the side of the channel arm 5 to form the segments of the arch previously mentioned. This disposition of the pins 6 divides the effective length of each shear member 2 into two portions of unequal length, the greater length comprising the arm 3 and offset 4 and the shorter length comprising the arm 5. Pins 1 pivotally join the ends of channel arms 3 of each segment to the ends of channel arms 3 of the adjacent segments while pins 8 join the ends of channel arms 5 of each segment to the ends of channel arms 5 of adjacent segments. In this way half of the channel members 2 have the flanged portions thereof facing the front of the arch while the alternate half face the back of the arch to permit pivot of the members about the pins without interruption by the flanges which provide rigidity to the construction.

A channel member 9 approximately the size of a channel arm 5 is pivotally joined by pin 10 to the lower arm 5 of the outer right hand segment of the arch and a channel member H similar to an arm 3 and an offset 4 is pivotally joined by pin 12 to the lower arm 3 of the right hand segment of the arch. Pin l3 joins the lower ends of members 9 and ll. The members 9 and H thus constitute a springer section to support the arch segments and to provide a means of mounting the arch at a single point. The left hand or opposite side of the arch, which is not shown, terminates in an identical springer section.

Upon transverse separation of the pivot pins 7 and B and of the pin it] and I2, joining the springer to the arch segments, the arch will retract circumferentially and appear to be composed of a plurality of successive interconnected pantograph sections. Increasing the separation of pins 1 and 8 further contracts the springers toward one another until the arch collapses with a nesting of the channel members 2, as shown in Fig. 2. This nesting effect materially reduces the bulk of the arch for convenient transport or storage while at the same time the unity of construction which dispenses with the need for assembly or disassembly of a plurality of loose parts i retained. If desired, light weight metal such as magnesium or aluminum may be employed to in crease the mobility of the structure.

Referring now to 3 there is shown a supporting base plate or footing U to which is pivotally attached the outer or lower extremity of the springer portion of the right half of the arch by means of the pin it that is journaled within the two upright brackets l rigidly fixed to a horizontal base plate 16 that forms the body of the footing it. A stake I! is received by and passes through a hole in the plate H; to be driven into the earth as a means of anchoring the footing is in any desired position. A similar footing is joined to the opposite springer of the arch. These footings M may be permanently attached to the springers to preserve the unitary construction of the arch ribs.

To complete the assembly of a frame employing the arches described, longitudinal bracing is at" tached between spaced arches. Such longitudinal bracing may consist of a number of uniformly constructed braces is as is shown in Fig. 4. A truss bar 29 forms the body of each brace it and has welded to the ends thereof a pair of parallel 2 cylindrical obliquely disposed shanks 29. To provide a means of securing the cross-bracing to the arches two tubular sockets 2| adapted to receive the shanks 2i! are disposed between the flanges and welded to the webs of each of the channel arms 3, as is shown in Fig. 5. To insure retention of the shanks 2B in the sockets 2i pivoted fall-out keys 22 are housed within and pinned to the lower ends of the shanks 23.

Referring now to Fig. 6, there i shown a completed framework for a collapsible structure composed of the parts heretofore described. The framework consists of a plurality of arches l in extended position placed in parallel relationship to one another and spaced at a distance determined by the longitudinal bracing. Base plate footings iii are staked in position upon the determination of the correct spacing of the arches. Upon the simple insertion of the longitudinal braces i8 between the arches the framework is completed.

To complete the structure covering panels are fastened to the framework. Enclosing the ends are two vertical panels 2.; consisting of canvas 01' other suitable material that may be folded upon the dismantling of the structure. Within one, or both, of the end panels 23 is an 'entranceway formed by turning the canvas back upon itself to provide envelopes which receive and hold the stiles 24 and a horizontal lintel 25 of wood or light metal. The stiles 24 may be driven into the ground to firmly secure the canvas. About the arcuate periphery of the panels 23 are spaced a plurality of grommets 26 through which lace lines 21 are passed.

Roof panels 28 of a material similar to that of the end panels 23 cover the remaining portions of the framework and complete the structure. Along the edges of the panels 28 that lie adjacent the side panels 23 are spaced lace hooks 29 riveted to the canvas. By catching the lace lines 21 on the hooks 28 in the manner shown in. Fig. '7 the panels 23 and 2e cooperatively engage and retain one another in position. In a similar manner the adjacent edges of the roof panels 28 are fastened one to the other.

Each pantograph section of an arch is, as hereinbefore noted, slightly asymmetrical since the lengths of the adjacent channel arms between pins 6 and 8, are slightly less than the lengths of offsets 4 and channel arms 3 between pins '6 and i. It is the geometry of this relationship which compels the members to assume an arch configuration upon a complete lengthwise extension of the shear members 2 and it further compels each pantograph section to reclose and look beyond toggle upon attainment of full extension. Locking occurs by reason of the abutment of the ends of members 3 and 5, in the locality of pins 3 and 8, as is shown in Fig. 1, when the arch is extended for use. In this position the arch is stable since loading acts to press the abutting areas near pins 1 and 8 toward one another.

The offsets 4 in the shear members 2 serve to bring the outer contour of the arch more closely into conformity with a circle thus minimizing the formation of water and snow pockets which might otherwise gather in a pliable covering, if straight shear members were employed.

W e claim:

1. In a collapsible arch for a structure supporting an enclosure the combination comprising a first shear segment having a first lengthwise shear member and a second lengthwise shear member pivotally joined to one another at a point spaced from the mid point of each so as to divide each into a shorter section and a longer section with a major portion thereof extending obliquely to the line between the ends of the respective shear member of which it is a part, a second shear segment having a first lengthwise shear member and a second lengthwise shear member pivotally joined to one another at a point spaced from the mid point of each so as to divide each into a shorter section and a longer section with a major portion thereof extending obliquely to the line between the ends of the respective shear member of which it is a part, an inner pivotal connection between the shorter section of said first lengthwise shear member of said first shear segment and the shorter portion of said first lengthwise shear member of said second shear segment, an outer pivotal connection between the longer section of the second lengthwise shear member of said first shear segment and the longer section of the second lengthwise shear member of said second shear segment, said inner pivotal connection and said outer pivotal connection being adapted to move toward one another upon lengthwise extension of said shear segments until the ends of one shear segment abut the ends of the other shear segment, a further plurality of shear segments similar to said first shear segment and said second shear segment joined to said second shear segment and to one another in sequence similarly :as

the connection of said second shear segment to said first shear segment to form an arched unit upon lengthwise extension of said shear segments, and a footing in supporting relation to the arched unit formed by said arch segments.

2. In a collapsible arch for a structure supporting an enclosure the combination comprising a first footing, a first springer composed of two lengthwise members pivotally joined to one another at their lower ends supported by and rising upwardly from said first footing, a first shear segment having a first lengthwise shear member and a second lengthwise shear member pivotally joined to one another near the mid point of each so as to divide each into a shorter section and a longer section with a major portion thereof extending obliquely to the line between the ends of the respective shear member of which it is a part, the longer section of said first lengthwise shear member being pivotally connected to a lengthwise member of said first springer and the shorter section of said second lengthwise shear member being pivotally connected to the other lengthwise member of said springer, a second shear segment having a first lengthwise shear member and a second lengthwise shear member pivotally joined near the mid point of each so as to divide each into a shorter section and a longer section with a major portion thereof extending obliquely to the line between the ends of the respective shear member of which it is a part, an inner pivotal connection between the shorter section of said first lengthwise shear member of said first shear segment and the shorter section of said first lengthwise shear member of said second shear segment, an outer pivotal connection between the longer section of the second lengthwise shear member of said first shear segment and the longer of the second lengthwise shear member of said second shear segment, a further plurality of shear segments similar to said first shear segment and said second shear segment joined to said second shear segment and to one another in sequence similarly as the connection of said second shear segment to said first shear segment to form an arched unit upon lengthwise extension of said shear segments, said arched unit having the ob lique portions of said longer sections forming a substantial arcuate outer periphery, a second springer similar to first springer joined to the end of the arched unit opposite said first shear segment, and a second footing in supporting relationship to said springer.

3. In a collapsible arch adapted to be extended to support a covering the combination comprising a plurality of shear segments each having a first lengthwise shear member and a second lengthwise shear member, center pivot means forming a pivotal connection between said shear members disposed at a point spaced from the mid point of the same so as to divide each shear member into a shorter section and a longer section having a major portion thereof extending obliquely to the line between the ends of the respective shear member, said plurality of shear segments being successively connected in adjacent relationship to one another to provide a lengthwise arch member by outer end pivot means pivotally connecting the longer ends of said shear members successively to one another and by inner end pivot means pivotally connecting the shorter ends of said shear members successively to one another, said lengt wise arch member having the oblique portions of said longer sections forming a substantially arcuate periphery, and two sets of springer means each joined to an end of said lengthwise arch member and comprising a pair of lengthwise members pivotally joined to one another at their lower ends and pivotally joined at the upper ends to the respective end of the lengthwise arch memher.

4. In a collapsible arch adapted to be extended to support a covering the combination comprising a plurality of shear segments joined in end to end relation, each segment having a pair of elongated shear members pivotally connected, by center pivots at points off center of each dividing each shear member into major and minor sections, said shear segments being joined by outer pivotal connections between the ends of said major sections and inner pivotal connections between the ends of said minor sections to form when said segments are extended a curved frame with the major sections forming an outer arch and the minor sections forming an inner arch, each of said major sections comprising a short offset extending from the respective center pivot sharply transversely to the longitudinal line between the ends or" the shear member and turning at the outer end of said offset to extend to the end of the segment bowing each segment with increased width at the medial portion thereof, and footing members at each end of the arched unit formed by said segments when in extended position.

References Cited in the fiie of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 502,403 Kniphals Aug. 1, 1893 1,766,901 Gustavson June 24, 1930 2,05%,6'73 Hastings Sept. 15, 1936 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 511,411 Great Britain Aug. 17, 1939 565,831 Germany Dec. 8, 1932 

